Are introduced gibel carp Carassius gibelio in Turkey more invasive in artificial than in natural waters?

GAYGUSUZ, Ozcan/0000-0001-6861-6221; Copp, Gordon/0000-0002-4112-3440; Gaygusuz, Ozcan/0000-0001-6861-6221; Sac, Gulsah/0000-0001-9988-1116; Yapici, Sercan/0000-0003-2288-5084; Tarkan, Ali Serhan/0000-0001-8628-0514; Filiz, Halit/0000-0003-0096-6123WOS: 000301429900009The underlying mechanisms responsible for ecological plasticity and consequent invasive character of non-native freshwater fish species, variations in growth and life history traits in gibel carp Carassius gibelio (Bloch) were compared in natural and artificial water bodies of Turkey. Females significantly outnumbered males in all natural and most artificial waters. Discriminate function analysis differentiated gibel populations into three separate groups (natural lakes, artificial water bodies and running waters), with significant differences among separated groups in growth index, standard length and age at maturity, relative fecundity and gonado-somatic index, but not in egg diameter and both generalised and relative condition. Growth features (e.g. growth index and relative condition) and reproductive features (e.g. relative and absolute fecundity) positively correlated with water body area. No correlations were found for any growth or life history trait with depth, latitude and altitude. With the exception of smaller size at maturity, all traits were higher in populations from artificial water bodies than those inhabiting running waters, suggesting gibel carp is required to exert more reproductive effort to invade natural ecosystems than artificial waters.Mugla UniversityMugla Sitki Kocman University [09/28]; Istanbul UniversityIstanbul University [BYPF-6-6/160606]; UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra)Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA)Elaborated within the framework of an international network initiated with a NATO Science Programme 'Collaborative Linkage Grant' (awarded to GHC) on the use of life-history traits to assess the risks of non-native fishes, the present study was funded jointly by Mugla University (Project No: 09/28), Istanbul University (Project No: BYPF-6-6/160606), with the participation of GHC funded by the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra). Special thanks go to N. Gokalp and members of Ildeniz Fisheries for assistance in the field